Partner Peter C. Harvey Appointed by NFL Commissioner to Hear Suspension Appeal
Patterson Belknap partner Peter C. Harvey was appointed by National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell to hear the appeal of the six-game suspension of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. In a statement, the league said, “[Peter Harvey] has deep expertise in criminal law, including domestic violence and sexual assault, and has advised the NFL and other professional leagues on the development and implementation of workplace policies, including the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. Mr. Harvey has also served as the Commissioner's designee in other arbitrations."
A past Attorney General of New Jersey and a former federal prosecutor, Mr. Harvey advises corporate and individual clients in commercial litigation as well as sensitive internal and government investigations. He also serves as Independent Monitor for the Newark Police Department (NPD). In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the NPD's compliance with a Consent Decree issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. Earlier this year, Mr. Harvey was selected as a member of the NFL’s Diversity Advisory Committee, which was established to review league and club policies to address concerns over the lack of diversity in the hiring of head coaches and senior executives within the NFL’s teams. Mr. Harvey is also a board member of Futures Without Violence, a nonprofit organization that seeks to end violence against women and children around the world.
Click here to read The New York Times’ coverage of Mr. Harvey’s appointment.
Click here to read The Washington Post’s coverage.